Lack of blockbusters hits Cineworld

Cineworld has blamed a dip in admissions in the first half of the year on a lack of summer blockbusters.

Admissions slipped to 20.6 million from 21.7 million last year, as fewer high-profile movies were released this year compared to last year.

Large audiences were not tempted into the cinemas until Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull and Sex and the City, were released in June – which raked in £40 million and £26 million respectively.

Tony Bloom, chairman of Cineworld, commented: "This is a solid set of results, particularly when viewed against a backdrop of far fewer blockbuster films in the period and an increasingly challenging consumer environment."

According to Cineworld chief executive Stephen Wiener, his organisation is confident forthcoming films such as Quantum Of Solace, Madagascar 2 and High School Musical 3 will "drive admissions" in the second half of the year.

The group opened a new 12-screen cinemas in March and plans to roll out more movie theatres across the UK.

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